How to Travel With Pets, According to TripAdvisor Survey

RISMEDIA, July 31, 2007—TripAdvisor(R), a travel community, announced the results of its annual traveling with pets survey of more than 1,100 travelers (and more than 700
pet owners) worldwide, digging up that 53% of respondents with pets travel with their collared companions. Americans (56%) are more likely to travel with their pets, compared to 41% of travelers from the U.K.

Kowtow to Bow Wow

Fifty-two percent of pet owners said they will only stay at accommodations that are pet-friendly, when traveling with their furry friends. Pet-friendly accommodations are most important to dog owners, 64%, compared to 38% of cat owners. Thirty-seven percent of respondents with pets would pay more to stay at accommodations that are
pet-friendly-this jumps to 50% for dog owners.

Short Leashes

Thirty-five percent of pet owners take shorter vacations, and 25% take fewer vacations because of their pawed pals and seven percent will only travel to destinations where they can bring their pets. Twelve percent said their pets actually prevent them from going on vacation. Six percent take vacation to get a break from the responsibility of their pet.

Pet Peeves

The biggest concern (29%) about traveling with pets is that their animal will get “stressed out,” which jumps to 48% for cat owners. Twenty-two percent of those who travel with pets feel their biggest concern is that no one is able to look after their pet when they are sight-seeing or touring (this was the greatest concern among dog owners, at 27%). Twenty percent of respondents who own pets have smuggled their animal sidekicks into a hotel room.

Bone to Pick

Forty-eight percent of all travelers surveyed feel hotels should be more accommodating for pets. Pet-sitting was at the top of the list, at 27%, of services animal owners would like to see hotels offer. Separate housing/on-site kennel was the second choice at 16%, followed by pet bedding at nine percent.

Dog Bless America

The U.S. is the country pets most enjoy visiting, according to 61% of pet owners surveyed. Canada came in second, and the U.K. was third in the tally.

Best Western in Show

According to the survey, Best Western is the most pet-friendly hotel chain followed by Holiday Inn and Red Roof Inn. The top pet-friendly Best Western is the Best Western Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina, based on pet-friendliness ratings on TripAdvisor.

“Animal lovers might be even pickier about travel accommodations for their pets than they are for themselves,” said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “B&Bs dominate our pet-friendly accommodations list because they do a great job catering to the most finicky pet owners.”

A slice of dog heaven, TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast brings you and your four-legged friend closer to nature. Let your dog run through the forest, swim in the lake, dash through the waterfalls, and lay by a bonfire. Most importantly, turn the TV and phone off — who else truly deserves your undivided attention? As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The best part for us by far, as dog lovers, was how much our dog loved it.”

Appreciate the artwork in the Sleepy Dog Guest House, a colorful converted miner’s cabin decorated with canine watercolor portraits, papier-mache sculptures and eclectic Southwestern art. As the only guests, feel free to let your pet loose on one of the leash-free trails and play in the Frisbee lot or enclosed yard. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The owner is a great host and the Sleepy Dog Guest House is the most pet-friendly place I’ve ever seen.”

Don’t leave your dog at home while visiting the Gazebo Inn Ogunquit, an old farmhouse. With pet-friendly rooms and designated dog-walking beach areas and parks, your canine will feel more than welcome in this upscale establishment. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Nothing like being able to enjoy your pet and very fine lodging, such as you will find at the Gazebo Inn.”

With pooch-friendly cottages, the Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages is the perfect place for a getaway with your pet. Kimball’s room, located in the main lodge, has recently allowed pets, with a separate entrance from the porch. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The owners were exceptionally friendly and service-oriented. True dog lovers, they made my dog feel welcome.”

Spoil your pet at the Ocean Lodge with oceanfront views of the Oregon coast. With a private deck, easy beach access, pet packages, and even a dog wash in the front lawn, the hardest part will be leaving. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “If you are looking for a place that is on the ocean and takes dogs, this is as good as it gets.”

Let your canine bask in the sun on the seaside lawn at the Cambria Shores Inn on the California coast. Your pet will be pampered with a welcome basket, including special doggie biscuits, towels, a mat and a copy of “Fido-Friendly” — a dog-lover must-read. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “They have baskets for every dog. The three ocean view lawns are perfect for the dogs, and the views are spectacular.”

For the stylish pet, impress them at the Hotel Marlowe, an eight-story luxurious boutique, modern hotel. Choose from the finicky feline pampering kit or the man’s best friend pampering kit, both containing sumptuous treats from the hotel’s preferred pet bakery, Polka Dot Bakery. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, “The Marlowe has captured us! They allow pets, actually greet them with water bowls and a sign announcing the names of all the pets in the house for the evening.”

Go island hopping around the Florida Keys with your pet and stay at Courtney’s Place in Key West. With cats, dogs and birds on the premises, your animal is sure to feel right at home in this colorful retreat. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “We spent four nights at Courtney’s Place with our two little dogs and we could not have been more pleased!”

Enjoy the hotel’s features with your pet, including a complimentary breakfast, oceanfront views and spacious suites at La Quinta Inn and Suites South Padre. With pet-friendly rooms and endless amenities, this is the perfect accommodation for pet owners looking for great service. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, “We brought our small dog so she could have a vacation as well.”

Charm your pet by staying at the Hotel Monaco Denver, a luxurious hip hotel with a vibrant and bold interior. Try the reigning cats and dogs pet package, which includes a pet pamper basket, organic treats, doggie-bed, and food and water bowl, making your pet feel like it’s finally out of the “dog house.” As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Our dogs were petted by almost every employee they came across, and enjoyed being with us for the evening wine reception, where they met a Boxer.”

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